Height and depth

It`s possible to be on the mountain heights yet still struggle for perspective. Whether we`re going through a valley or enjoying the adventure of scaling a canyon, there are times when things can seem out of sync. Or simply times when we can`t see the way forward.

But it`s precisely these times, whether stormy or just a bit shadowy, that can help define us. Having a goal is great, but how you get there is vital to the quality of your acheivement.

When we reach for the heights, we have a choice. Do we allow the journey to deepen us, forming our character, affirming our values? Or do we aim for the peak no matter the cost, only losing something of ourself in the process? 

Ambition is so much about height and depth. I believe that having goals is godly. The Bible tells us that without vision, people perish. We need relevance for our existence. But reaching our goals without getting lost on the way is a huge challenge. For Christians, the wisdom in the Bible helps us tackle the journey, it refines us and defines us, it encourages us and continually takes us back to the One who created us to excel in the first place.

In Him we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28). It`s who we are and who we become that defines the quality and value of what we do and achieve. Whether shrouded by the clouds or revealed for all to see on the mountain heights.

Seeing doors

Doors fascinate me. In Herrnhut and the surrounding region there are some fabulous thick hand carved doors and gateways. Some set in stone frames, some just rotting away; a pale reflection of the wealth and rich craftsmanship that once thrived here.

But there are also many simple doors to be seen. Some that are easily noticed. Some that are tucked away. In shadowy alleyways or forgotten corners. Some with locks on. Some with old handles and clasps. Some just hanging in their frames.

Jesus spoke about doors. He holds open the door of eternal life to us. He is that gateway for us. The Bible also tells us of the door of hope in the valley of trouble or despair. It`s always there. There is always a way forward, but sometimes we have to look for it. Sometimes we are looking for a door that looks different to the one we actually need.

Often we focus on wanting particular doors to open for us. But sometimes I wonder if we miss our way or waste our energy because we are looking to the wrong door. I believe that one of the secrets to seeing doors open in your life has as much to do with being open minded about which door is the right door for now, as it does with actually seeing a particular door open.

When I feel hemmed in in a particular area and I know that I need to see progress or for something to open up, I start asking where the door is that I don`t yet see. Part of the adventure with Jesus is that the humblest looking doors contain the most breathtaking journeys. Kind of like not being able to judge a book by it`s cover.

It all comes back to learning to see things from God`s perspective and not our own.

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened." Matthew 7:7

Labelled or marked?

So let`s clarify my problem with "labels".  It`s the description of a label that I find confining. My heart is much more about our hearts and God`s heart. I don´t want my heart to be labelled. In fact, what I want is my heart to be marked.

Marked by God. By His character. By the things that He builds into my life. I want to be marked by His love. By His mercy. By His joy and His compassion. I want to be marked with a teachable heart. 

When someone looks at me, I don`t want a personal or ministry label or title. I want them to see through the window of my heart and see the colours of the character of God. Depth. Beauty in Him.

One of my favourite scriptures comes right at the end of the book of Psalms. 149 v 4 tells us that God "beautifies" or "crowns" us with salvation. As we lay hold of the riches of what it really means to be a new creation through Jesus, we allow God to change us and grow us in our character. He shapes and beautifies us, sculpting away the old and crafting the person He has destined you to be. After His heart. After His plans and purposes.

Which is why God`s heart is more about who we are than "what" we are. Which is why I really don´t do this label thing so well. As we allow God to craft us as a person, then our giftings come forth and He shows Himself through us in both practical and spiritual ways. It`s also why I feel sad when I see Christians searching after "their" calling or gifting or "the" thing they are supposed to do. We are not defined by knowing that our main thing is this or that, evangelism or prophecy, teaching or administrating. That is not our identity. He is our identity. If you feel bad because you can`t tell others what your main gifting is, praise God! Just get on with allowing Him to mark your life with His character and His heart. Then you will be ready in season and out of season to be the person He wants you to be, wherever you are. Your giftings will become obvious.

So Father God, please continue to craft me after your own heart. Mark me with the characteristics that please your heart. Show the colours of who you are through me. And thank you that you don´t put me in a box and label me. Thank you that the journey continues. 

Confessions of a backsliding blogger

Ok, so it`s been a while! Sorry. Bit of backsliding as far as blogging is concerned. Lots of going deeper with God during my cave time though.

Well, it`s been busy, as usual here. For a small, quiet town in a corner of Germany, we certainly get quite a bit of action. The summer months are full with individuals, groups and larger teams passing through the Jesus Haus and the town. 

It`s such a privilege seeing people go deeper with God while they are here. It`s not always or just in a "spiritual" context that they sense the presence of God. Sometimes it`s as people do practical work, like sanding down doors or splitting logs open. For others it`s just as they are walking around town, sensing the weight of God`s hand upon their personal destiny.

For me, the last few months have been a time of redefining. God has been affirming me in things I have known and walked in for a long time now as well as redefining my take on things, honing and refining and expanding my insight, gifts and vision.  It kind of felt like backsliding for a while, just because He took me through a process of questioning what we see as Christian culture and what really is Kingdom Culture. I`ve looked at the seasons of the Kingdom and the timings of the Kingdom. The Inheritance of the Kingdom and our destiny as citizens of His Kingdom. Just gazing into His heart.

Hmmmm. If that`s all double dutch to you, never mind. Just remember that God has written every day of your life. He believes in you and He has such a rich destiny for you. No one else can live out your destiny. It`s there, prepared for you to walk in. The question is, are you directing your destiny or are you allowing God to shape you for the destiny He has for you?

Psalm 139:16  Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.

Days of Wisdom

Birthdays when we are young are mostly full of excitement. Suspense and wonder at how the day will be and how it will feel to be a year older fill the lead up to most children`s birthdays with anticipation.

Some of us manage to maintain the joy of birthdays as we get older. Others dread facing one, for one reason or another. Somehow totalling up the years can make us nervous. It can also make us satisfied, when we look back in the right way and look ahead with the right attitude.

I love the way that God looks at our lives. He sees us as individuals. He knows every hair we have on our head. And He counts our days. Every day we live and walk out is written in His book.

That`s why I find Psalm 90 so cool. Verse 12 says: "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."  One of the German translation puts it a little less poetically (thanks Luther) and talks about remembering that we must all die one day. 

Why talk about birthdays and death in one article? Well, a birthday is a celebration of what has been. It is also an anticipation of the great days that are ahead. As Christians we don`t rely on luck or chance to run our days and fill up our years. We know that God is in charge and that we are co-workers with Christ. Together we manage our time. 

Whatever the number of days or years we live, we want to live by God`s principles, close to Him and growing a heart of wisdom for ourselves, our lives and the lives of those around us.

I pray that my days and your days would be lived as days of wisdom. Wisdom to recognise the times and seasons. When to rest and when to play. When to reach out and when to be still. Wisdom that helps us to number our days.

Regaining definition

Sometimes God brings us to a point of reassessing our lives. We think about where we`ve been and where we are heading to. Many of us do this around New Year.

In the Jesus Haus, some of the renovation has meant rediscovering the old treasures in the house. Like beautiful vaulted ceilings that had dividing walls built up into them when it was a hospital.

To enable a room to become the new space it needs to be, we have sometimes had to regain the old definition of a room. To knock out a few walls. Even when the walls have been useful in the meantime.

Sometimes God reminds us of things that we have known or lived before. He calls us back to them, to regain something that has perhaps been missing or crowded out of our lives. Sometimes we`ve moved on from things whilst God is developing new areas in us. But then comes a time of calling back. When He reminds us to regain a particular focus or definition and fuses that with the new things we have recently learned.

It reminds me of something Jesus said: ...every teacher who has been taught about the Kingdom of Heaven is like a householder who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old... Matthew 13:52

A new year isn`t always about embracing the new. It`s sometimes also about regaining the old.

Inspiring Excellence

Excellence isn`t about getting everything right. It isn`t about fulfilling rigid expectations. It isn`t an unreachable goal.

True, biblical excellence is totally inspiring. It`s about going further. Reaching above and beyond where you`ve been before. 

A people of excellence stand out from the crowd. Not because they have "got it all together". They stand out because they are not afraid to reach beyond limitations. They break new ground. 

Not through striving and not through manipulation. Instead, full of the Spirit of God, they are determined to allow His power to be made perfect in their weakness. They are not afraid of failing, because they know their Father in Heaven loves them. 

There is something inspiring about true excellence. And there is something inclusive about it. We admire excellence because we enjoy the sense of achievement it represents. Godly excellence has a quality of peace. It is the most fulfilling kind of success. 

And best of all, it sends that message that says "Look what`s possible with God. He`s done it through me. He can do it through you too."

"But He said to me: My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

2 Corinthians 12.9

Who colours your dreams?

Every generation of Christians inherits from those who have gone before. Truth. Understanding. Church culture. And so much more. Somethings we like to build on. Others we`d rather change. We also inherit a dream. Something greater that we carry within us. Are you aware of that?

People, situations & events all influence how we see that dream. How we dream that dream. How we bring our part of the dream into reality and how we pass it on to others. Being a Christian isn`t just about you. It`s about you and Jesus and your part in a much bigger picture.

You see, Christians were made to be part of a bigger dream. God`s dream. A dream for generations and the nations. The world takes dreams and makes them serve the individual. God gives dreams that serve Him and His plan for the nations.

No matter how personal your dream, no matter how big or small it is, let Jesus colour it. Because if you are following Jesus, your dream is part of something greater. Let Him take those desires and colour them for His purposes. You might have to revise your dream a little. You may have to take another look at the blueprint. But when He has finished with it you will understand. God uses each one of us to display His greatness, in the little and the big things of life. In the momentous and the seemingly insignificant.

It`s just a case of allowing Him. Of co-operating. So who`s colouring your dreams? Is it the world, or is it Him?

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3.20-21

Leaving room for God`s dream

We usually mean well. It`s just that it`s a bit insulting to God really isn`t it? Telling the Creator of the Earth how to do something. Be honest. Have you ever fallen into that trap?

There`s a need, you really think it`s time God did something about it and you have a great idea how He could do that. Should do that. Must do that. Only He doesn`t seem to be listening.

I know why. It`s because He`s busy waiting for us to stop dreaming our dreams and to start dreaming His. It`s one of the hardest things for humans to do. Waiting for God. 

Sure, there are lots of times in life when we need to just apply our human wisdom and be responsible, responding to need by using our skills and initiative. But there are also many times in life when taking a moment to check with God how He feels about the situation and wants us to proceed would be the smartest move we could make.

God`s ways are so much higher than ours. He`s so much more creative. Next time there`s a situation going on, take a moment to check which direction God is dreaming in. You might be in for a few surprises.

 

"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55.9

The Keeper of Truth

It isn`t always easy to know who we can trust. Generous hearts sometimes trust too easily. Cynical hearts shelter behind walls. Picky hearts are choosy who they confide in and who they will learn from. Which is right?

Having a teachable heart is crucial to living as a disciple of Christ. A teachable heart is a humble heart that desires to grow. It looks for opportunities to learn. It`s part of God`s plan that we learn not just straight from Him, but also from one another. 

We can`t skip the issue and just huddle alone with God. Jesus taught His disciples and then commissioned them to go and teach others. There is an inheritance to be shared and passed down among the generations and among the nations.

But how generous should we be? Should we soak up everything that everyone tries to teach us?

I believe that the Keeper of our hearts has given us one golden rule to help us. The Bible refers to God as the Keeper of Truth. It doesn`t matter how impressive the person is, if their message is not found in God`s Word, don´t accept it. Sometimes people speak with great authority, but their message is not pure. Sometimes it is a mixture of God`s Word and their ideas or interpretation. Sometimes it is their own revelation.

Isaiah 8.20 guides us: "If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."

God`s Word is Truth and Light. The Keeper of Truth has given us a great gift. Knowing the Word will help protect you from soaking up distorted teaching.

 

Why not open a Bible today and read it?

Facing Shattered Dreams

Talking about unity is easy. But many of us have been cut, right to the core. Expectations shattered. Dreams dragged down. We had such hopes of working, living or loving together and then it all went pear-shaped. Is unity really viable?

I believe it is. I also believe that God allows us to go through times of pain and disappointment. He crafts greatness in us as we face our shattered dreams and choose to move on with Him, working out our part of what went wrong. Choosing to continue to pursue the excellence of unity. An excellence that is attainable, despite our human imperfections.

Unity is a choice. It is something we pursue. Some people pray to receive unity, but I believe that we have to make very active decisions to see unity become a reality in our relationships and church life. Each one of us has a responsibility to pursue the peace so vital to unity. We have to learn to make peace with one another and with the events that have occurred.

Being a peacemaker requires character and humility. It means we are prepared to face the nitty gritty issues. We choose mercy and forgiveness, laying aside our natural heart cry for vengeance. We place the situation in God`s hands. We pray mercy for those who have hurt us and whom we do not understand. We choose to walk on in excellence, being responsible for our own reactions and attitudes. We are humble enough to admit that our way may not necessarily be the right way. Refusing to harden our hearts, we refuse to become cynical. We continue to believe that unity is attainable. 

Don`t let shattered dreams distort your character. Instead allow God`s gentle hand to craft greatness in you. If unity didn´t work out last time for you. Forgive, let it go, apply mercy and move on. 

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Matthew 5.9

The true secret to success

The true secret to success in the Christian life is not about strategies and striving. There is one thing that every believer needs to know and practise. It will maximise your own spiritual development. It will revolutionise your friendships. It will transform your marriage.

It's quite simple. You cannot be a true disciple of Jesus unless you face this one. Teachability. You need to develop a teachable heart and attitude. 

Basically that means discipleship and mentoring should be a priority for all of us, no matter how long we`ve been Christians. And I don't mean giving it out. I mean receiving it. A prophet will soon be unhealthy if he will never receive a word from another. A teacher will stagnate if she doesn't continue to understand more and more.

What I love about Jesus is that He's so practical. You can't get all superspiritual on this one and say "Oh well, I learn from Jesus Himself. I like to get it all straight from Him, I don't need anyone else."  Hmmmm. Jesus created us to be in relationship with others as well as God. Look at all the parables He told. They are all about the Kingdom of God. And they are all about relationships. 

So. A teachable heart. Growing in God. Growing with others. Learning from others. 

Give yourself a little spiritual health check. How teachable are you?

"The Secret" and Marriage

A teachable heart. The secret every Christian should embrace. 

When we first fall in love and head up the aisle, most of us are full of optimism. Great expectations, perhaps a little shakiness as well, but for the most part we marry because we are convinced that things are going to work out well for the two of us.

Our experience, both in our own marriage and in those we have observed and ministered into has convinced us that there is one fundamental principle that will make or break a marriage.

The willingness to learn from others and to seek help and to allow people to speak wisdom into our patterns of relating are crucial for every successful marriage. We don't need this all the time. Part of the adventure of marriage is the development of us as a couple. Each couple is unique and the blending together of two lives in Christian marriage is a very precious adventure.

Both marriage partners have to be prepared to change and grow. All of the time.

Both marriage partners have to be ready to learn from others too-- the right people with the right wisdom for the right moment! It's not so much a question of whether 2 people fit together for life. It's more a question of whether they are prepared to grow together.

So if you´re busy falling in love or making out your list of "must haves" in a perfect partner, knock off the "on fire for God" and the "sexy legs" from the top spot and write " a teachable heart" firmly in first place.  "On fire for God" is great for the second spot, but in first spot it's not much good if he or she ends up being a superspiritual fiery loose cannon who always thinks they know best.

"Teach me Your ways, O God, Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me. For You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day" Psalm 25:5